Founders

BYP is a joint initiative. In 2008, Festival Director Thomas Hummel brought together the two founding partners – the Usedom Music Festival and Nord Stream AG, the operator of the natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea – and gave life to the Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic. The result: the advancement of promising young musicians, and ongoing support for the cultural diversity of the Baltic Sea region.

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The sound of the Baltic Sea has been heard since 1994 on the island of Usedom. Every year in late summer, the Usedom Music Festival devotes itself to the cultural region around the Baltic Sea. The festival has presented the musical life of Russia, Poland, the Baltic States, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, as well as former Prussia. Soloists such as Mstislav Rostropovich, Gidon Kremer, Olli Mustonen, Nina Stemme, Bo Skovhus as well as Jan Garbarek and the Esbjörn Svensson Trio have enthralled its audiences. The Peenemünde Concerts, frequently featuring the NDR Symphony Orchestra, are among the highlights of the more than 40 events presented by the Festival each year. From 19 September to 10 October 2015, the musical and cultural life of Finland will be the focus of the Festival.www.usedomer-musikfestival.de

Co-founder and main sponsor of the Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic, Nord Stream AG is an international joint venture established for the planning, construction and operation of a 1,224-kilometre natural gas pipeline to link Russia and the European Union through the Baltic Sea. The Nord Stream Pipeline is a major pillar of Europe’s energy security: the two-string pipeline system provides an efficient and reliable supply route capable of meeting some 11% of the EU’s total demand for natural gas, enough to satisfy the energy demand of more than 26 million European households. The pipeline project started in 2006 and in 2012 both lines were fully operational. The transboundary nature of this major infrastructure project in the Baltic Sea is one of its most unique aspects. In total, nine countries were involved in the planning phase. Sponsorship of the BYP is part of Nord Stream’s programme of cultural, scientific and environmental initiatives that benefit the Baltic Sea region. Nord Stream AG stands for sustainable development, environmental, economic and social responsibility in the energy sector. The idea of a Baltic youth orchestra struck a chord with Nord Stream immediately: like Nord Stream, the BYP is the result of innovation and cross-cultural, cross-border teamwork.www.nord-stream.com